Joy Redevelopment Project
Background
The former Howden Buffalo industrial site was the location of a thriving industrial plant and a key employer in New Philadelphia for more than 160 years. Area officials have sought new uses for the property since the Howden Buffalo plant closed in June 2014.
To date, the EDFA and city of New Philadelphia have assisted in site marketing with the real estate broker and worked with JobsOhio and TeamNEO on site leads. Promoted the site locally and regionally to generate leads and responded to local interests. Several companies have shown initial interest but chose not to pursue engagement due to the identified contamination on the site. On December 29th, 2020 Howden USA donated the 17.48-acre industrial site, with 226,975 square feet of manufacturing and office buildings, to the EDFA.
This is a publicly led brownfield redevelopment project; the EDFA has completed a Phase I Environmental and is determining need for a Phase II. The site has both Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contamination; ongoing abatement efforts of the TCE are the responsibility of Joy Global, a previous owner, at the direction of the Ohio EPA. The EDFA is working with both entities to continue the abatement of the TCE.
A feasibility / marketability study is essential to determine the optimal use of the site and structures, and next steps for this redevelopment project, which is a key component of the city’s South Broadway corridor plans.
New Philadelphia is creating a framework for community development, the Master Vision Plan 2030. Best-use opportunities for the site fit neatly into several asset areas due to its close physical location to the downtown and adjacent to key city amenities and features. Site plans may support preserving the Downtown District to encourage a robust hub and economic growth. This redevelopment will pave the way for new development and activity in and near the Downtown District and across New Philadelphia and the region. The area has seen a dramatic decline in retail and commercial activity. Redevelopment will reduce blight and improve the local environment and health/safety concerns by reducing or mitigating contamination, ultimately transforming an abandoned, underused property into one or multiple beneficial reuses that respond to resident and city needs and visions.
Local photographer and Artist Andy Donaldson, has captured the spirit of the former industrial site in the galleries below!
These photos are not to be used for commercial resale or use. If you would like to purchase a photo, please access Andy’s studio page here:
DEmoliton has strarted!
Sustainable reuse of brownfield properties includes efforts to reduce the environmental impact by reusing and recycling materials generated during building construction, demolition, or renovation. Typical construction and demolition (C&D) materials include wood, drywall, cardboard, brick, concrete, metal, insulation, and glass.
4ward planning site visit!
On July 1st 2021, representatives from the ED&FA, City of New Philadelphia, TeamNEO and 4ward Planning toured the site and surround communities!
4ward Planning was established to assist local governments and developers achieve sustainable development outcomes through responsible, future-based planning.
Capturing the past, reimagining the future!
This Brownfield Action Plan was created by the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County to help the organization and the city of New Philadelphia with the impacts and process of brownfield redevelopment for the former Howden Buffalo/Joy Global industrial site.
project milestones!
This project timeline was created to track milestones and in progress action items of the Joy Redevelopment Project.
What is a Brownfield Development?
This community presentation was created to provide a high-level overview of the Joy Redevelopment Project.